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Before you go
Your trip to Ypres.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Ypres – West Flanders Destination Ypres and the front about 70 km from Bruges
How to get there
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Ieper 1 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Ieper station is on the line between Kortrijk and Poperinge, about a ten-minute walk from the Grote Markt. There are direct trains from Gante and Kortrijk; from Bruxelas and Bruges the journey involves a change, usually at Kortrijk or Gante. By car, Ypres is a little over an hour from Bruges and close to the motorway that runs to the coast and to France.
How many days
Half a day is enough for the centre and the museum. A full day includes the evening ceremony at the Menenpoort. Two days allow a whole day to be devoted to the cemeteries and museums of the salient, without rushing between sites.
When to go
Spring and summer, from April to September, bring long daylight hours and more settled weather for cycling in the countryside. Autumn has fewer visitors except around November, when armistice ceremonies fill the town. In winter museums remain open, but the cold and rain shorten outdoor visits.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
In the centre, no: everything is on foot. For the front, a car helps a lot because the cemeteries and museums are scattered across the countryside. A bicycle is an option for strong cyclists, as the roads are flat. Those who do not drive can book a guided tour departing from Ypres.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Ypres
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Morning
Museum in the Lakenhalle
Start at the In Flanders Fields Museum, on the upper floor of the Lakenhalle, using the wristband that tells the story of one person's war experience. If the weather is clear, climb the Belfort to see the plain where the front used to be.
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Afternoon
Cathedral and Essex Farm
Visit the Sint-Maartenskathedraal, just behind the square. Then head north by bike or car along the canal bank to the Essex Farm Cemetery and the concrete shelters of the medical post.
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Late afternoon
Return to the Grote Markt
Return to the center, walk around the Grote Markt and have an early dinner in the surrounding streets so you arrive at the Menenpoort with time to spare.
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Evening
Last Post at the Menenpoort
Attend the Last Post ceremony under the arch of the Menenpoort. Arrive early, as the passage fills up, and remain silent from start to finish.
2 days in Ypres
Day 1
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Morning
In Flanders Fields Museum
Set aside the whole morning for the museum in the Lakenhalle and for the climb up the Belfort, taking your time between rooms.
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Afternoon
Rebuilt center
See the Sint-Maartenskathedraal and the Menenpoort by day, when you can read the name panels at your leisure.
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Evening
Last Post ceremony
Return to the Menenpoort for the buglers' playing and then have dinner near the Grote Markt.
Day 2
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Morning
Essex Farm and Langemark
Set off early for the Essex Farm Cemetery by the canal at Boezinge, and continue to the German military cemetery at Langemark, with its mass grave and oaks.
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Afternoon
Zonnebeke and Tyne Cot
Explore the Passchendaele Museum in Zonnebeke, with its underground shelter and the trenches. Finish at the Tyne Cot Cemetery on the slope overlooking Ypres.
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Late afternoon
Return via the salient
Return to Ypres via the country roads between Zonnebeke and Zillebeke, passing the small cemeteries that dot the countryside.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
How long does the train take from Brussels to Ypres?
About two hours, with one change of train, usually at Kortrijk or Ghent. Check the day's schedule on the Belgian rail company's app.
Are there trains at night after the Last Post ceremony?
The Ypres line has fewer evening trains than main lines. If you plan to attend the ceremony and return the same day, check the last train before you go; many visitors prefer to stay overnight in town.
Can you rent a bicycle in Ypres?
Yes, there are bicycle rentals in town, and the tourist office inside the Lakenhalle points out waymarked routes along the old front. The roads are flat, but distances add up to several kilometres.
How can I find the grave of a relative who fought in the war?
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains an online database with the burial location or memorial for each soldier. The research centre at the In Flanders Fields Museum also assists with searches.